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Clown Pleco
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Ancistrus Pleco (S)
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Rubber Pleco
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Spotted Rubber (L-148) Pleco
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Hifin Spotted Pleco
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Whitespot Ancistrus Pleco
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Hypostomus Plecostomus
S(1-1.5″) M(2″) L(3-3.5″) XL(4-5″)
Plecos are very popular aquarium fish, even for beginners. They can help keeping unwanted algae growth under control in the aquarium, since algae and plant material are their staple foods in the wild.
Pleco is the common name for Catfish species in the Family Loricariidae. The name Pleco is derived from the Latin name of one of the species in this family, the Hypostomus plecostomus, and is today widely used even for the other species in this family. The Family Loricariidae is also known as the Armored Catfish family, since the fish in this family display longitudinal rows of scutes over the upper parts of the head and body, and this pattern is somewhat similar to an old armor.
Plecos are freshwater species that live in tropical waters in Central and South America, and they can therefore be successfully kept in tropical freshwater aquariums. Two of the most commonly kept Pleco species are Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus). If you purchase a “Common Pleco” from your fish store it can be one of several Pleco species that are sold under that name. It can be Suckermouth Catfish or Bristlenose Catfish, but it can also be species such as the Sailfin Catfish (Liposarcus multiradiatus) or the Liposarcus pardalis.
The different Pleco species varies a lot when it comes to maximum size, and the Pleco that you buy when it is no more than 3 inches might eventually reach a size of 2 feet. Small Plecos are suitable in community aquariums, but old and large Plecos can become highly territorial and require their own aquarium. Different Pleco species can be distinguished based on their coloration. Some species will also be equipped with other distinctive body features. All Plecos are nocturnal and prefer to feed during the night. In daytime, their eyes will be protected by an extraordinary omega iris that block out almost all the light.
